jean blank

Q: password field keeps filling automatically ghost password

I have Mac desktop late 2012 running El Capitan 10.11.6   Since installing El Capitan, the password field when logging in from sleep automatically starts to fill with a long password clearly not mine.  Once it happens, have to reboot to get rid of it.  Does not happen all the time, but end up having to reboot several times a day if I don't log out each time.

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 12:24 PM

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Q: password field keeps filling automatically ghost password

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  • by becky_s22,

    becky_s22 becky_s22 Oct 2, 2016 4:04 PM in response to jean blank
    Community Specialists
    Oct 2, 2016 4:04 PM in response to jean blank
    Hi jean blank, 

    From your post I see that you are experiencing issues with the password field auto generating a long password that is not yours when you wake your Mac from sleep and you have to reboot your Mac to get it to go away. I can see how that would be of a concern. I'll be happy to help you. 

    The first thing I'd like to have you do is to remove the password requirement after waking your Mac from sleep and then add it back in. Then test to see if the password field responds as normal. 

    OS X El Capitan: Require a password after waking your Mac

    If the issue persists, then boot the Mac into safe mode and then put the Mac to sleep and then test the password field. Then simply restart the Mac to get back to normal operation. 

    OS X El Capitan: Start up in safe mode

    Please reach back out if your issues persists. Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Cheers! 
  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Oct 2, 2016 4:09 PM in response to jean blank
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 4:09 PM in response to jean blank

    I've seen the really long password dots. I can often just click OK and it logs in or I can select and enter the correct password. I've never had to restart.

     

    You might try toggling off require password on sleep to see if you can reset in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General